Level compass



Feb- 20, 1951 s. J. oLEJNlczAK 2,542,551

LEVEL coMPAss Filed Sept. 15, 1947 Siep/rend. Ole/'niczak By @Mmmaaa/#wey Z9. M516;

Patented Feb. 20, 1,951

UNITED STATES ATENT @FFICE LEVEL COMPASS Y stephen J. oiejniezak,Detroit, Mich. `Appinar-nui september 15,1947, seria1N0.774,076

Y t 2 claims. (o1. 33 158) -I This invention relates to new and usefulimip rovements and structural refinements in geometrical instruments,more specifically, in compasses, dividers or the like, andthe principalobject of the invention is to provide a device of the character hereindescribed which includes in its construction spirit levels for guidingproper positioning of the instrument while measurements are being takenand thereby substantially increasing the accuracy of measurement,notwithstanding the roughness or irregularity of the surface on which,the measurement may be taken. v

A further object of this inventionis to provide a level compass which issimple in construction, which, if desired, may be employed inassociation with a conventional ruler, and which will not easily becomedamaged.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a level compasswhich will readily lend itself. to economical manufacture and which isotherwise well adapted' for the purpose for which the same is intended.

With the above more important objects in view, and such other objects asmay become apparent as this specification proceeds, the inventionconsists essentially of the arrangement and construction of parts asillustrated in the accon1 panying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the invention.

Figure 2 is an end view thereof taken in the direction of the arrow 2 inFigure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-,sectional View, taken substantially in the plane ofthe line 3-3 in Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially in the plane ofthe line 4 4 in Figure 1and Figure-5v is a perspective view showing theconstruction of one of the blocks used in the invention.

Like characters of reference are employed to designate like parts in thespecication and throughout the several views.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, the inventionconsists of a level compass .designated generally by the referencecharacterV IIJ., the same embodying in its construction a graduated beamII, includingthe scale i2, and

provided at one end thereof with what may be referred to as a stationaryblock I3. A travelling block I4 is slidably positioned on the beam II,the structure of the block I4 being hereinafter more fully described.

The aforementioned stationary block I3 is congurated substantially asshown, and is provided with a transverse slot I5 adapted to slida-w blyreceive the beam I I. The block I 3 is clamped to the beam II by meansof a set screw I5, and

it will be observed that the block i5 is formed;

integrally with the protuberance I7, provided with a bore I8, adapted toslidably receive a finl ger Is which is adjustably secured in the boreI8 by means of a further set screw 20.

Matters are so arranged that the longitudinaly axis of the finger I 9 iscoincidentor aligned vwith the zero line of the scale i2, the zeroline.. being indicated for reference purposes by thereference character2l. v

A suitable spirit level assembly 22 includes a pair of end ears 23a thatare secured by the screw or screws 23 to the block I3, the housing ofthe level 22 including a projection 24 which is receivable in the slotor recess I5 formed in the block I3 and abuts against the end of thebeam I I, as is best shown in Figure 4.

Inasmuch as the level 22 is rigidly secured to the block I3, theprojection 24 will assure thatfthe beam I I is inserted to the properdepth orl extent in the slot I5, thereby assuring accuracyfof alignmentof the zero line 2I gitudinal axis of the n-ger I9.

The aforementioned travelling block I4 is formed with a channel 25adapted to slidably receive the beam II, and is also provided with anintegral protuberance 2b, formed with a bore 21, adapted to slidablyaccommodate a further nger 28 which is adjustably secured in position bymeans of a set screw 29.

The block I4 is formed also with an integral housing 3i) containing afurther spirit level 3|, and it should be noted at this point that whilethe longitudinal axis of the aforementioned level 22 is disposed inparallel to the end of the beam II, the longitudinal axis of the level3| is disposed in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam, as isbest illustrated in Figure 1.

The block I4, as a whole, is adjustably secured to the beam II by meansof a pair of set screws 32, and the block is also provided with anopening or window 33 in which a transparent panel 34 is mounted in anysuitable manner. The panel 34 is, in turn, equipped with a hairline 35,matters being so arranged that this hairline is coincident or alignedwith the longitudinal axis of the finger 28, as will be clearlyapparent. By virtue of this arrangement, the accuracy of measurementwill be assured, that is, with respect to the graduated scale I2 of thebeam II, since the longitudinal with the lone;

3 axis of the finger I9 coincides with the zero line of the scale, whilethe axis of the nger 28 may be made to correspond or coincide With anappropriate reading of the scale, by simply loosening the set screws 32and sliding the block I4.

As will be clearly apparent, the essence of novelty in the inventionresides in the association of these spirit levels 22, 3l with therespective blocks I3, M, which levels having their longitudinal axesdisposed in perpendicular relation, will facilitate the placing of abeam in a truly horizontal and vertical position, notwithstanding theunevenness or irregularity of the surface on which measurement is beingtaken. Needless to say, by simply loosening the set screws 20, 29, thengers I9 and 28 may be adjusted with respect to their respective blocksL3, i4, so as toI compensate ior the irregularity of the surface of thework, while at the same time, facilitating the maintenance of properlevel, as indicated by the levels`22` and 3II.

While, for illustrative purposes, thev fingers I9 and 28 are disclosedas having pointed extremities 36, 37 respectively, these ngers may, ofcourse, be substitutedby pencils or the like, so as to suit theprevalent working conditions.

It is believed that the advantages and use of the invention have beenclearly explained in the foregoing disclosure and accordingly, furtherdescription thereof at this point is deemed unnecessary.

While in thevforegoi'ng there has been shown and described the'-preferred embodiment of this invention it is tobe understood that minorchanges in the details of construction, combination and arrangement ofparts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as claimed.

Having described the invention what is claimed as' new` is:

1. In a level compa-ss, a substantially rectangular block having atransverse opening extending therethrough, a spiritY level having endears secured to one side of the block, a rib on the level entering theopening and including a straight edge disposed longitudinally of theblock, a ruler having one end mounted in the opening, said one end ofsaid ruler having a straight transverse edge engaging the straight edgeof said rib, a protuberance attached to and projecting laterally fromthe block intermediate the ends of the block and having an elongatedbore, the axis of the bore lying in a vertical plane that encompassesthe abutting surfaces of said straight edges, and a iinger slidably andadjustably mounted, in said bore and having a conical tip..

2. In a level compass, a substantially rectangular block having atransverse opening extending therethrough, a spirit level having endears secured to one side of the block, a rib on the level entering theopening and including a straight edge disposedL longitudinally of theblock, a ruler havingv one end mounted in the opening, said one end ofsaid ruler having a straight transverse edge engaging the straight edgeof said rib, a protuberance attached to and projecting laterally fromthe block intermediate the ends of the block and having an elongatedbore, thek axis of the bore lying in a vertical plane that encompassesthe abutting surfaces of said straight edges, a finger slidably andadjustabiy mounted in said bore and having a, conical tip, and ascriber-holding means slidably and adjustably mounted, on said ruler.

STEPHEN J. OLEJNICZAK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the..

file of thisv patent;

UNITED. STATES-PATENTS

